Golf day ‘fore fireys

SUPPORT THE FIRIES: Captain Ray Wilton (centre), golf fundraising day organiser Bruce Bevan from the Ballina Rotary Club (right), and Glenn Costello, from Tursa, making a donation to the golf day, watched by some of the Lennox Head Rural Fire Service crew.

THE Lennox Head community can show support for the local rural fire service by swinging a golf club in Ballina on Sunday, March 11.

The village firies are currently in temporary digs, having had to move their headquarters to make way for the new Lennox Head Cultural and Community Centre two years ago.

Captain Ray Wilton said the firies were waiting for Ballina Shire Council to find a new home for them, with negotiations taking place with the Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council about land on The Coast Rd, and talk of the current home becoming their permanent base.

In the meantime, the fire service, established in the 1940s, is in limbo, making do with their temporary shed.

Capt Wilton said the Lennox Head community had been very supportive of the 25-member rural fire service. And Capt Wilton returned the compliment, saying the community was "fantastic". The Rotary Club of Ballina has organised the golf day to be held at the Ballina Golf and Sports Club.

Co-ordinator, Rotarian Bruce Bevan, said the annual charity days had raised $66,000 in six years, and the last five had supported local charities.

The Ballina Fire and Rescue brigade and the Newrybar Rural Fire Service will also be beneficiaries.

The golf day is a four-person ambrose with a shotgun start at noon, and a barbecue lunch from 11am.

Cost is $40 per person, and there are great raffle prizes up for grabs.

About 140 players are expected to tee off.

Tursa has provided a $450 donation for the day. To book a game, phone the club on 6686 2766 or Bruce Bevan on 0404 037 696.